Marvin Bagley announces decision to leave Duke for NBA draft

Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III announced on Instagram Wednesday that he intends to declare for the NBA draft.

The nation’s No. 2 prospect last season, Bagley lived up to the hype in Durham, averaging 21 points and 11.1 rebounds en route to winning ACC player of the year honors.

A 6-foot-11-inch power forward with elite athleticism, Bagley dominated around the rim and showed the range expected now of top-level big men in the NBA with a 39.7 success rate from 3-point range to go with his 61.4 field goal percentage.

The Blue Devils finished second in the ACC, advanced to the Elite Eight and finished with a 29-8 record with Bagley as their No. 1 option.

A certain lottery pick, Bagley is likely to be among the first three picks in the draft. He will become the 12th Duke player to declare for the draft after his freshman year.